Japan Cemented Carbide Tool Shipment Hits First 25B yen in 3 Months

Japanese cemented carbide tools shipment increased by 6.3% to 25.706 billion yen in June from a year earlier, which increased to more than 25 billion yen for the first time in 3 months according to Japan Cemented Carbide Tool Manufacturers’ Association. The shipment increased by 12.8% from May due to car output rebound. The insert chips shipment hit record and the export increased despite higher yen exchange rate.

About 40% of the cemented carbide tools shipment depends on transport machinery industry including automobile, aircraft and shipbuilding. The shipment slowed in April and May due to low operation rate of automobile parts makers after the major earthquake.

The cutting tool shipment increased to more than 19 billion yen in June for the first time in 3 months. The insert chips shipment topped the record of 25.521 million chips marked in February.

The output of cemented carbide alloy represented more than 500 tonnes in June for the first time since September 2008. The export was high since July 2008.